Batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, are susceptible to explosions under the right conditions. When they explode, they can cause severe injuries and may even be fatal. When this happens because of negligence, you need a Las Vegas exploding battery injury lawyer to represent you and help you secure the justice you deserve.
H&P Law has more than 60 years of combined experience handling these types of cases. When you consult a Las Vegas product liability lawyer, you can expect top-tier service from a highly qualified team. Courtroom proven. Client praised. Let us fight for you and secure a favorable outcome that allows you to move forward.
An Exploding Battery Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas Helps You Secure the Damages for Your Losses
When an exploding battery has injured you, compensation can help you manage your growing expenses and potentially decreased income. These accidents can have profound effects on you and your family, and damages provide the resources you need to regain a sense of wholeness in your life.
Some common damages our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers pursue include:
- Medical expenses, ongoing treatment, medical services, and equipment
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- Property damage
- End-of-life, funeral, and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
It is important to keep your medical records, photos, videos of your injuries and damage, journals, and statements to use as evidence in your case. Your lawyer will review this documentation to help determine the potential value of your case. Armed with this information, they will aggressively negotiate to secure a fair settlement or verdict to cover your losses.
What Makes Batteries Explode
Lithium batteries are prone to exploding if they are improperly designed, handled, or stored. This primarily occurs via a chain reaction where batteries reach excessive temperatures through a process known as thermal runaway in batteries.
When a battery is damaged or does not charge or discharge properly, it can cause the battery cells to overheat and cause a chemical reaction that ends up creating more heat. This process repeats itself until the battery explodes. An exploding battery can reach extreme temperatures that are difficult to put out. The battery also releases its contents when it explodes.
These types of batteries are commonly found in electronic devices such as phones, laptops, and more. They may also be found in vehicles, e-bikes, tools, and medical devices. While batteries in these and other devices may explode due to charging or extreme hot or cold temperatures, the risk of harm is significantly increased if their structure is defective from their inception or production.
Toxicity of Exploding Batteries and the Injuries They Can Cause
To understand the toxicity of an exploding battery, it is important first to understand how lithium-ion batteries are manufactured. Heavy metals such as lithium, graphite, aluminium, cobalt, copper, and nickel are mined and synthesized to create a battery. These materials are then packaged into cells within the battery that allow it to conduct electricity.
However, when these batteries explode via the thermal runaway process mentioned above, they release toxic fumes that are extremely dangerous to inhale or come in contact with. They can cause respiratory, cardiovascular, and vision problems, as well as weakness of limbs, and neurological conditions. Exploding batteries can also cause skin irritation and severe burns that may penetrate multiple layers of soft tissue.
These and other injuries require quick action and medical attention to minimize the damage and treat the injury. The fumes and content that batteries emit when they explode can take effect in minutes, so every moment counts when dealing with these conditions. An experienced doctor can decontaminate your body and provide the appropriate treatments to counteract the effects.
Establishing Liability in an Exploding Battery Case
When you have been hurt by a defective product like an exploding battery, you need a Las Vegas exploding battery injury attorney to help you determine and establish liability in your case.
A defect can originate in the design of the product, in its production, or in its marketing, and individuals involved with these processes can be held liable. Distributors, wholesalers, and retail sellers can be held liable, too.
Your lawyer will investigate the factors in the accident to determine which party is at fault. They will then establish that partyās liability by demonstrating that the at-fault party had a responsibility to ensure that the batteries were safe for use, but their negligence led to an explosion that caused your injuries. Liable parties are therefore responsible for providing damages for the harm they caused.
Liability is an essential part of any claim, and it must be shown so thoroughly that it is declared a fact in the case. By fulfilling each part of this process, you and your lawyer can hold the negligent party accountable for their actions. This is important so you can recover your losses and make sure that other individuals are not injured by defective batteries or products that use them.
Statute of Limitations for Product Liability Claims
If you wish to file a product liability claim against the battery company, you generally must act within two years of the accident, according to NRS 11.190.
Even though this seems like enough time, legal cases take time to develop, and evidence deteriorates over time, so delays can actually hurt your case. Consult with a lawyer from H&P Law promptly so there is enough time to negotiate and resolve your case.
H&P Law is Ready to Speak With You Today
Exploding batteries can cause severe injuries, and H&P Law fights to secure the necessary compensation and resources you need to fully recover.
We protect your rights and make sure that at-fault parties pay you fairly for the injuries you have sustained. To speak with an exploding battery injury attorney in Las Vegas, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.